Architect rendering of proposed new hospital to be located in Florence.
MONTGOMERY – A Circuit Court Judge yesterday ruled against a petition by Helen Keller Hospital that would disallow the construction of a 280-bed hospital in Florence. The new hospital, North Alabama Medical Center, owned by Regional Care Hospital Partners is the much anticipated follow-on to Elisa Coffee Memorial Hospital, an 80-year old health institution located in Florence.
Montgomery Circuit Judge Charles Price
In his ruling, Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Charles Price agreed with the hospital group and the Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board. The Board had agreed that a 280-bed facility was warranted for the area. This number of beds exceeds state guidelines, which say that the new hospital should have a maximum of no more than 233 beds.
Price said that the Board’s decision was “reasonable, supported by substantial evidence, and was within the Agency’s lawful discretion.
Here is what the North Alabama Medical Center – ECM facebook page read:
“We are pleased to announce that Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Charles Price, has affirmed the decision of the Alabama Certificate of Need Board, for the construction of a 280-bed regional medical center for the tri-state area we serve. We are ready to move ahead with this project and remain optimistic that it will be allowed to proceed in the near future. Join us in sharing this great news!”
Helen Keller Hospital
The process has been slowed by litigation from Keller and Huntsville Hospital, the two of which have a fiduciary relationship.
Keller now has 6 weeks to appeal Judge Price’s ruling on the case. According to published reports, Keller C.E.O. Doug Arnold said that no decision has been made as to what the hospital’s next step would be.
